Inside... -----

+ Global Working Group

+ Survey Results

+ Bioherbicides for Forestry

+ IWSS Constitution Changes

+ Conference Highlights .

+ In Print

+ Notes

IWSS Officers:

L. Smith, President

8 Darwin Drive, Lapstone, NSW 2773, AUSTRALIA Tel: 6147393564 Fax: 6147393564

Dr. PJ. Terry, Vice-Pres. Long Ashtoo Res. Sta

AFRC Inst of Arable Crops Long Ashton, Bristol, BS189AF, UNITED KINGDOM Tel: 0275392181 Fax: 0275394007

R. Rasad, Secretary Pacific Forest Res. Centre, 506 W. Burnside Rd., Victoria.

BC, V8Z 1M5, CANADA Tel: (604) 363-0600 Fax: (604) 363-0775

S. Larson, Editor

Oregon State Univ. Cordley Hall 2040 Cowallis. OR 97331-2915 USA Tel: (503) 737-3541 Fax: (503) 737-3080

DECEMBER 1993

NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY

FROM THE PRESIDE NT...

In September I attended the 14th Asian-Pacific11 0th Australian Weeds Conference in Brisbane, Australia, where over 450 delegates from 16 countries were

present. The conference was well organized, at an excellent site, which allowed easy access to the three concurrent sessions. Another pleasing feature was the luncheon arrangements which enabled delegates to mix freely and meet informally for those new friendships and exchanges of information which are an important component of conference attendance. All conference and meeting organizers should give consideration to this aspect when planning their functions. It was also very pleasing to see so many young people at the conference and this augers well for the future of weed science in the Asian Pacific region. However, budgets for travel in weed science programs are obviously suffering as many well known weed scientists from the Asian Pacific region were unable to attend. The cost of conferences and meetings must be closely examined in future to make sure that attendance is not unduly constrained by finance.

If members have not already done so, I encourage them to submit nominations for the IWSS Outstanding Achievement Award for 1994. This award recognizes significant contributions to international weed science in more than one of the

following areas: research, extension, teaching, publications, administration, involvement in industry or commercial sectors. Awards are given to acknowledge merit and contributions to weed science over a period of at least 10 years. There are many deserving examples of people qualified for this award and I'm sure that several nominations, especially from developing countries could be found. Please take time to consider a nomination for the award.

I hope that all members have now received a copy of the first circular for the Second International Weed Control Congress to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in June, 1996. Jans Streibig and his organizing committee have already outlined a very impressive program, so please make plans to attend the Congress.

I am still seeking people to assist with the implementation of the outcomes and recommendations from the First International Weed Control Congress in Melbourne. We need people to assist with the panels on Weed Control Strategies For Developing Countries, Ecology and Biology of Weeds, and Weed Irnpact/Energy Considerations, as outlined in the last IWSS Newsletter (June 93). There are now two panels in operation, so please contact me if you can help or, if I contact you, your assistance would be appreciated even if only to suggest someone else who may be able to help. Also, I am seeking financial assistance from chemical companies to assist with preparation of the panel reports, which will be presented to the Congress in Copenhagen.

Page 2 . IWSS Newsletter December 1993

Please note the summary paper by Dr. Labrada in this newsletter on a survey of the status of weed management in developing countries. This survey highlights the need to raise the awareness of weeds and the problems they cause, and while this is especially important in developing countries, we also need to raise the profile of weeds in developed countries. Governments and authorities in particular need to understand that weeds are a major factor hindering the achievement of acceptable crop yield, as well as affecting human and animal health, and interfering with biological diversity in conservation areas. Financial support for research and extension programs depends on recognition of the problems, and while technical personnel of the developing world understand the importance of weeds, governments often do not.

How can we get this message across? Weed and plant protection societies around the world can assist by: 1) lobbying of government and politicians on the importance of weeds, especially in areas of effect of weeds on health, sustainable production and biological diversity; 2) organizing well publicized and presented regional conferences, symposiums and meetings showing the technical development and responsible professional approach being taken by weed scientists about weeds and their control; 3) alerting the public to the problems of weeds by providing the media with publicity about weeds (e.g. weed of the month) with accurate assessments of the problems caused by weeds and the variety of methods used to control them. Emphasize that control methodology or the methods now widely used are environmentally friendly and compatible with sustainable systems, e.g. competitive plants, biological control, integrated management. 4) importantly we need to make "loud noises" or lobby strongly about our weed problems in all areas of the landscape (agriculture, forests, conservation, urban, waterways, etc.) because it is true that "the squeaky wheel receives the most oil." However, the information used to make the noise must be realistic, accurate and factual else it will be ignored.

If you have any thoughts about some of the issues raised in Dr. Labrada's paper, please write a letter to the newsletter editor for publication.

There will be an executive meeting of the Society at the WSSA meeting in St. Louis on Monday,

February 7,1994 and if there are any matters which you would like raised please contact one of the executive or write to the Secretary, Raj Prasad before the meeting. See page 5 for proposed changes to the constitution.

Dr. Leon Smith, President IWSS

GLOBAL WORKING GROUP ON WEEDS OF CONSERVATION AREAS

J. T. Swarbridc

You are invited to join an informal group of people around the world who are interested in the weeds of conservation areas (generally referred to as environmental weeds) and their control.

The Group was set up at the First International Weed Control Congress in Melbourne, Australia, in February ,1992. Its membership continues to grow steadily both in numbers and global distribution, largely through professional contacts between people working in or interested in the subject.

The objectives of the Group are to exchange names, addresses and areas of interest through the Membership List, to ask each other directly or through the newsletter for information or help with problems, and to exchange either general or specific information and other material that may be of interest to each other. We may also meet in association with regional or other weed conferences, and an occasional membership update and newsletter will be circulated. A future goal could include the production of a global database on environmental weeds and their control

Membership is open to anyone, anywhere, who is interested in joining. The current joining fee is Australian $10; no membership fee has yet been necessary. The organization is currently quite informal, with a Convener/Treasurer/Editor and a bank account in Australia with a balance of $332.80 as of 1/9/93.

If you would like to join the Working Group on the Weeds of Conservation Areas, please send a letter or page listing your title and name, full postal address, facsimile number, and general and/or specific interests in the area together with a check for A$10. or a bank note to:

Dr. J.T. Swarbrick Working Group on Weeds of Conservation Areas

-- I ~ ~ e r n & ~ 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 3 .I

15 Katoomba Crescent Toowoomba Queensland, 4350, AUSTRALIA

You will receive a receipt, membership list, and latest newsletter.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF WEED MANAGEMENT STATUS IN DEVELOPING

COUNTRIES Dr. R Labrada, Weed Control Officer, FA0

In 1991 a questionnaire consisting of 51 questions divided into six sections (general aspects, research, extension, education, publications and important weed problems) was sent to weed specialists or plant protection specialists in a total of 72 developing countries including Brazil, China, and South Korea, which are not usually considered in this category, but whose small farm system is quite close to developing countries. This report describes preliminary results of the first five sections of the questionnaire.

Replies were received from 52 countries as follows: Latin America (LA): Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela-16 countries North Africa & Near East (NE): Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates-1 1 countries Africa South of Sahara (AFR): Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zaire, and Zimbabwe-1 9 countries Asia & Pacific (APA): China, India, Indonesia,, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand--6 countries Results of the Survey: 1. General As~ects of Weed Management The survey showed that in many developing countries (except the APA region) there is still no plant protection service, or the existing service is not involved with weed management. Also in many countries of LA, NE and AFR, even where a phytosanitary law is in place, there is no official list of quarantine weed species. Thus there is little

barrier to the introduction of exotic weeds species from neighboring countries and continents.

Data on crop losses due to weeds is available from only a few countries and some of this data seems high and unrealistic. All countries indicated that herbicide field trials were conducted for herbicide registration, but the actual registration system was not up to standard in LA and NE, with field trials not always being conducted by official personnel. Also, the herbicides in use were often not adequately registered. In general, there is a low level of herbicide use in small farm areas. In many cases, herbicide application is too expensive for small farmers, nor do they have knowledge of the proper skills required to handle and apply them. Only in 39% of surveyed countries is any training canied out in application and use of herbicides. More than 50% of countries surveyed do not restrict or prohibit any single herbicide e.g. 2,4,5-T can still be used without any registration in many countries.

Experience on biological control of weeds was only available in 21% of the countries surveyed.

2. Weed Research Only 19 out of the 52 countries surveyed had an acceptable number of specialists in Plant Protection (Extension Services) and in research groups. Availability of weed specialists in plant protection or extension services and in research groups was considered acceptable when a country had a minimum of one weed specialist per 2 million inhabitants. In global terms, the total number of weed specialists in plant protection in developing countries is around one specialist per 13.2 million inhabitants and one per 5.3 million for research. These numbers clearly show that the number of weed specialists is low in the developing world when compared to a country like Australia which has approximately one weed specialist per 500,000 inhabitants.

It is considered that weed research groups are sub- optimal for NE and APA but in LA and AFR they are well below the desired level. Also the research programs are often only devoted to a single major weed like Striga control and are lacking in studies of ecology and biology of troublesome weeds, weed competition, allelopathy and herbicide behavior in the soil.

Page 4 IWSS Newsletter December 1993

3. Education. Extension and Publications on Weed Science Weed science is included in the syllabus of agriculture faculties in 73% of the countries surveyed. The lowest level was in AFR where universities still do not exist in some countries. Post- graduate refresher courses are conducted in 40% of the countries, but there are very few available in LA, NE, and AFR. All regions except APA showed a lack of facilities for MSc and PhD studies.

Publications on weed management and holding of seminars and field days for farmers had a very low priority in developing countries. This can be attributed, on one hand, to lack of research results on weed management and, on the other hand, to weak research-extension links. Ministry of Agriculture or Rural Development officials do not appear to appreciate the importance of weeds as a major constraint to agricultural production. Weeds will never be taken seriously in many developing countries until officials understand that weeds are just as important as other pest organisms.

Specialized periodicals on weeds exist in only 10 of the countries surveyed with the highest number in APA. A lack of manuals or handbooks on weed management was noticed in LA, NE and AFR regions, especially illustrated publications on weed flora which creates difficulty for practitioners identifying weeds species in the field.

In general it was clear that with a few exceptions weed management had a relatively low priority in the LA, NE and AFR regions. Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Weeds are not considered a major factor hindering the attainment of maximum (acceptable) crop yields in most developing countries. There was a general lack of awareness on weed problems and the improved methods to overcome them. There is a need for more publicity (publication of leaflets, etc.) about weeds and the problems they cause, which is directed at officials of Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as farmers and the general public. It is suggested that the production of information should be supported by international, regional, and national organizations such as weed societies. Another suggestion is to have an international meeting with Ministry officials present

from the various countries to hear about the weed problems and the methods used today to overcome them (IWSS and WSSA together with FA0 could organize this event).

2. Weeds as part of the pest control complex are ignored by existing plant protection services in most developing countries. This was evident in phytosanitary or quarantine laws, extension and research programs in plant protection, integrated pest management programs etc. Weed management should be incorporated in the overall plant protection programs of all developing countries.

3. In many developing countries there is a general shortcoming by governments to implement the FA0 International Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides, and official approval or registration of herbicides is often lacking. Direct advice to those countries affected is needed from the highest sources.

4. Weed research-extension links need to be improved in developing countries, including an increased number of weed specialists in both these areas. In order to achieve this objective, education facilities at all levels (BS, MSc, PhD) should be improved. The organization of national training courses in individual countries appears to be more appropriate than overseas study in the long term, although training in overseas countries is desirable in the short term. Sharing of resources and joint courses could be carried out in some cases.

5. Because resources for taxonomic identification of weed species is lacking in developing countries, there is a need for illustrated booklets on locally important weeds including information on ecobiology, distribution and control. Assistance should be sought from developed countries to help produce booklets for local areas where the need is greatest (e-g. AFR and LA).

6. It is suggested that the formulation of a Global Program of Weed Management for Developing Countries is necessary. This would consist of various regional and/or national projects on weeds and their management with well defined objectives and outputs to improve the status of weed management and weed science in developing countries.

Decernbkr 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 5 ------

Comments

1. We already have IWCC every 4 years and many regional meetings every one (WSSA), two (APWSSC) or three (Australian Weed Conference) years. There would appear to be a need for regional meetings in LA, NE and AFR areas rather than another international meeting. These could be held every four years to fit in between the IWCC. Assistance from FAO, WSSA and IWSS should be sought to arrange these meetings.

2. There is a need for the results or relevant information from the existing meetings and conferences to be disseminated to developing countries. More information about these meetings could be published in the IWSS newsletter and this is to be attempted in the future.

3. Production of leaflets on weed problems with control information etc. could be partly provided from the various "AID Programs" run by developed countries. This could be followed up in the countries providing AID programs by designated individuals in that country.

4. There is some good information from this survey, but there needs to be specific recommendations suggested which are achievable.

BIOHERBICIDES FOR FORESTRY Raj Prasad, IWSS Secretary

One of the greatest threats to the sustainability and biodiversity of Canadian forests is the failure of weed control efforts to keep pace with timber harvests. Alternatives to conventional chemical herbicides, which have come under much scrutiny over the past few years, are clearly needed if Canada's forest resources are to be protected. The Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, B.C. - a research organization of the Department of Natural Resources Canada, has initiated leading-edge research on biological weed control agents in 1986, assembling a group of researchers that now represents the world's largest effort to develop such agents for forestry. Bioherbicides or mycoherbicides are living entities (natural enemies) used deliberately to suppress the growth or reduce the population of weed species.

This group has already achieved major success. Intensive exploration of the biocontrol technique at this Centre has resulted in the discovery and development of three fungal biocontrol gents (bioherbicides) with commercial potential: Chondrostereum Durpureum for control of the world's weedy hardwood trees, a Nectria species for control of red alder in the Pacific Northwest (patent applied for), and a new Colletotrichum species for control of Canada reedgrass in the Northern Hemisphere (patent applied for). These three products address weed problems which have top priority throughout their distribution.

The team of researchers are: Charles Dorworth (Microbiology); Ron Wall (Pathology); Raj Prasad (Weed Science); Simon Shamoun (Pathology); Abul Ekramoddoullah (Biochemistry); Richard Winder (Pathology-Weed Science).

PROPOSED CHANGES IN IWSS CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS

The convenor of the Constitutional Sub-committee of IWSS, Dr. Robert Zimdahl has proposed that the following changes be made to the constitution and by-laws. The constitution and by-laws of IWSS were published in the June 1992 newsletter. The proposed changes are as follows:

VII. Executive Committee Present wording: The Society will be governed by an Executive Committee composed of the following membership: 1) President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer, plus 2) a representative or alternate elected from each of the regional weed science societies as follows:

APWSS-Asia Pacific Weed Science Society ALAM-Latin American Weed Society EWRS-European Weed Research Society WSS A-Weed Science Society of America WSSEA-Weed Science Society of Eastern Africa WAWSS-West Africa Weed Science Society FAO-~ood & Agric. Org., Weed Control Splst

Wgested wording: ---2) the weed control specialist from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, 3) a representative appointed by the president of each of the six weed science

Page 6 IWSS Newsletter December 1993

societies listed above (note FA0 is excluded from the new list)

VIII. Amendments Present wording: Section 1. The constitution and by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee provided it does not affect the legal status of the Society. mgested wording: The constitution may be amended only by a majority vote of the membership. If it is impossible to obtain a vote from at least a majority of the members eligible to vote, the Executive Committee may act on behalf of the membership.

By-Laws IV. Amendments

The by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee provided it does not affect the legal status of the Society.

Note: at present it is not necessary to seek a vote of the membership to amend the constitution, but it will be necessary if the new article VIII is approved.

Please send any comments to Raj Prasad, Pacific Forest Research Centre, 506 W. Burnside Rd., Victoria, B.C. CANADA V8Z 1M5. These changes will be discussed at the Executive Meeting in St. Louis in February, 1994.

CURRENT STATUS OF WEED RESEARCH IN ROMANIA

EWRS Newsletter, July 1993

Detailed research on the identification and control of weeds in Romania began in 1960-61. At the same time, weed control in wheat and maize crops with 2,4-D related compounds and atrazine started. Only 5 of the research institutes for maize growing were involved initially, in which 5 researchers looked after the field of weed control. The number of research stations grew to 20 between 1980 and 1990. Those working in the field increased to 30, and were associated with an additional 15 researchers from the various agricultural universities.

Descriptions and a catalog of agricultural weeds in Romania have been produced. Studies have been made on mutations and the appearance of herbicide resistance. Between 20-30 products are tested annually, of which 5-6 are approved for use in Romania. Between 1960 and 1990, over 100 active

ingredients and over 300 proprietary products were notified. Over 1300 scientific papers and 10 comprehensive works on weed control were published. Nine national conferences were held.

The development of the area of various crops treated with herbicides as a percentage of the total is as follows:

Cereals Maize Soysa Fibre Flax Sunflower Sugar Beet Fruit Vines

Scientific research in weed control has been hindered in the past two years and reconstruction only recently began with the organization of the Ninth National Conference for Herbology.

The following points have been identified for action:

The development of a national society for herbology, which will act as a scientific, non- political organization to promote research in this field.

The foundation of a national institute for herbology, for the implementation of specific research.

The development of the EWRS group in Romania through recruitment of a further 30-40 local members.

Publication of an information bulletin in Romanian under the guidance of ANR and EWRS.

Exchanges of Romanian and Western European specialists. In this connection, we are looking for co-workers and funding possibilities.

December 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 7

QUALIFICATIONS FOR IWSS

The Outstanding International Achievement Award is to recognize significant contributions to international weed science. The outstanding contribution to weed science must be in more than one of the following areas: research, extension, teaching, publications, administration (including service to regional societies), and involvement in industry or commercial sectors.

Criteria for the award; .

The nominee must be a member of the IWSSSor a regional society. Nominations must be made by a member of IWSS or a member of an affiliated society (or member of society affiliated with IWSS Board of Directors). Nominations should be made in English, Spanish or French. The nominating letter should explain in general and specific terms the outstanding contributions of the nominee. The contributions must be in regards to IWSS and international weed science. The candidate must have contributed and/or served in international weed science for at least 10 years. The award is limited to two in each year. The award will only be given when a candidate is selected. Members of the award committee are not eligible. The nomination packet should include nomination letter, three supporting letters and current resume of the nominee.

Awards are to be judged/assessed by the Awards Committee. The Committee consists of Immediate Past President, President, and Vice President (or other member as designated by the Board of Directors), Secretary, and the Chair of the Awards Committee-IWSS. Winners are to be decided by a majority vote. The winner(s) will be announced at

the annual business meeting of the International Weed Science Society.

An official nomination form for the 1994 award is located on page 15 of the newsletter. Nominations should be sent to Dr. Prasanta C. Bhowmik, Plant and Soil Sciences, Stockbridge Hall, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.

1994 IWSS DUES REMINDER

It's time to renew! Is your IWSS membership up to date? Take a quick look at your mailing label. Your membership is good through the year indicated above your name. Please use the Membership Renewal Form in the back of the newsletter to renew today. Dues are:

Individual $10 Affiliate $50 Lifetime $200

14th Asian PacificIlOth Australian Weeds Conference

Leon Smith, President lWSS

The 14th Asian-PacificIlOth Australian Weed Conference held in Brisbane, Australia, September 6- 10,1993 was attended by 450 delegates from 16 countries. There were over 250 delegates from the host country Australia and 65 delegates from Japan, 23 from Korea, 14 from Thailand, 13 from Malaysia and 60 from the other 11 countries (New Zealand, USA, China, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, England and Fiji. The 15th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference will be held in Japan at Tsukuba, the Science City, July 24-28, 1995. Dr. Kozo Ishizuka, President of the 15th APWSS Conference issued a warm invitation for all weed scientists to attend and participate in the conference.

Page 8 ' W S S Newsletter December 1993

In opening the conference, Dr. John Swarbrick, current president welcomed all delegates and spoke about the challenges facing weed scientists today. He also issued a challenge to everybody to participate in the weed identification competition. Forty photographs of weeds were placed around the venue for people to identify. Professor Marcus Blacklow, President of the Council of Australian Weed Science Societies (CAWSS) also highlighted the problems faced today in Eastern Europe having just returned from 4 months in Denmark.

Invited papers presented at plenary sessions, followed by three concurrent sessions covering four days allowed over 220 papers and posters to be presented. A field day on Wednesday allowed delegates to see some of the weed problems around Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Several awards were presented for papers and posters delivered. The Monsanto Award for best paper was won by C. Maneechote, J. Holtum and S. Powles from the Waite Institute, University of Adelaide, entitled Herbicide resistance in a wild oat biotype is due to mutant acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase. The CAWSS Award for Excellence: An Emerging Issue was won by Graeme Evans from the Bureau of Rural Resources, Canberra, entitled Towards a national approach to efficient pesticide use.

Three of the 61 posters presented shared the Monsanto Poster Award:

M.P. Ablin, Australia, Insecticide exclusion with carbofuran demonstrates the effectiveness of Heteropyslla spinulosa as a biological control agent for Mimosa invisa. G. W. Burdot et al., New Zealand, Cirsium awense selectively controlled in pasture by a Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mycoherbicide.

K. R. Dean and R. Rulz-Avila, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides in the Canning River, Western Australia.

Barbara Waterhouse from Queensland Dept. of Primary Industries and working on the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, won the weed identification competition.

Highlights of the conference included: The quality in presentation of papers and especially the increase in young weed scientists presenting papers. Many of

these people were not full time on weeds, but it illustrates the trend to the multi-disciplinary nature of people employed in natural resource management and the important part that weed management plays in this area.

There was a strength of weed science across aJl disciplines. Of the 220 papers presented 38 were on biology, ecology and physiology of weeds, 23 on biological control, 46 on herbicide technology, 9 on herbicide resistance, 8 on herbicide tolerant crops, 11 on environmental weeds, 6 on woody weeds, 4 on aquatics, 8 on field crops, 5 on horticulture crops, 9 on weed extension and 3 on computer expert systems.

It was interesting to hear of "new" weeds, perhaps the most interesting being Annona glabra (pond apple). A South American mangrove now prominent in parts of North Queensland and described by John Swarbrick. Also two interesting papers from an Australian point of view were by Richard Carter "Orobanche broom rapes - status and potential for Australia," and "Introduction and status of Kochia scoparia in Western Australia," by Jonathan Dodd. The first paper dealt with a genus of weeds which are not yet present to any extent in Australia (except a native Orobanche and the recently.discovered branch broomrape). The paper vividly illustrated the losses in crop production caused by these weeds overseas. Dodd's paper showed the spread of Kochia in WA from an introduction of this plant for reclamation of salt affected land. Seedling tracks of Kochia were seen for a kilometer or more from seed deposited from rolling plants. These papers highlight the need for stringent quarantine or phytosanitary restrictions before plant material is imported into countries to prevent introduction of weed material.

An invited paper on "Weed Management-Towards Tomorrow" was delivered by Dr. K. Kon, Ciba Research Station, Malaysia. This paper was aimed at the developing countries in the Asian-Pacific region and emphasized that we are being persuaded to change and be creative in developing weed management tools and that we should seek to optimize long-term farm productivity by balancing economic, social and environmental responsibilities. Technology such as herbicides will remain essential, but requires some adjustments in early design of herbicides for social and environmental

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k b e r 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 9

responsibility. The future will require an integrated approach which adopts all facets including those mentioned above.

Copies of the Proceedings, Volume I and 11 are available from the Secretary, Weed Society of Queensland Inc., P.O. Box 1607, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia, A$%.

The Queensland Weed Society, the Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society and the Council of Australian Weed Science Societies are congratulated for organizing this very successful conference.

2nd International Bioherbicides Workshop Raj Rasad, IWSS Secretary

The 2nd International Bioherbicides Workshop held July 3 1-August 1,1993 in Montreal, Canada, and organized by Profs. Alan Watson and Steve Hallett was attended by 50 scientists. The major theme was the application of the temperate experience in bioherbicides to the benefit of the tropics.

While Dr. Bruce Auld (Australia) outlined opportunities for bioherbicides in the developing countries, Dr. Alan Watson (Canada) read his work from the Philippines and R. Raghvan Charudattan (USA) gave an illustrated account of weed control of water hyacinth and pigweed by mycoherbicides that may well be used in the tropics.

Dr. Auld went on to report that common problems in the development of commercial bioherbicides in the western world have included: mass production limitations; inadequate shelf life of fungal propagules; a requirement for an extended period of high humidity or free water for optimal infection of target weeds. In many developing countries these problems may be minimized. Low-tech solid-state fermentation systems, which may be too labor intensive and uneconomic in developed countries, could be used to produce fungal spores or mycella at the time and place of need. In addition, many of the developing countries are located in the tropics where humidity is high and rainfall is often predictable. Bioherbicide programs in developing countries will require interdisciplinary teams just as they do in developed countries. New projects will also benefit from cooperation between scientists in developing and developed countries.

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Asia-Pacific Weed Management Committee Dr. Bruce A. Auld

An FA0 sponsored committee for Improved Weed Management in the Asia/Pacific region was established in 1992 at a workshop held at Kyungpook National University in Taegu, Republic of Korea. The committee consists of:

Chhan-Dr. Bruce A. Auld (Australia) Secretary-Dr. Kil-Ung Kim (Korea) Member-Dr. H.S. Gill (India) Member-Dr. Yang-Han Li (China) Member-Dr. H. Shibayama (Japan)

The aim of the committee is to foster improved weed management through workshops, publications, training and projects. The committee produces a biannual newsletter edited by Dr. Kim, which is widely distributed. Currently the committee has two publication projects: a weed species data bank for the region and a book on weed management in rice. The committee will be involved in a weed management workshop for nationals in Malaysia in May 1994. Those interested in receiving or contributing to the newsletter should contact: Dr. Kil-Ung Kim, Prof., Dept. of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Kyungpook National University, Taegu 702-70 1, Korea.

Letter to the President...

The following is an edited version of a letter to the President, IWSS, from Dr. R. Labrada, Weed Officer, FA0 Rome, September 1993.

I should like to inform you that FA0 has created task force groups such as the Asian and Pacific Working Group for Improved Weed Management not only in Asia & Pacific, but also in Latin America (LA) and Near East (NE). Besides these groups, FA0 is supporting the work of Pan Africa Striga Control Network (PASCON) in Sub Saharan Africa.

Every two years we hold a meeting of each task force combined with a workshop for 25 nationals of the country where the meeting is held. In July 93 we had the meeting of the LA task force group in Lima, and established the work plan for the next two years.

I Page 10 IWSS Newsletter December 1993 1

The chairman and secretary of this group are Dr. D. Gazziero fiom EMBRAPA and Dr. A. Fischer from CIAT respectively. This group will edit its newsletter next year and several other activities were planned. Dr. R. Frans fiom Arkansas University, who also participated in the meeting and workshop, is to write a brief paper on these events to be published in the IWSS newsletter.

In the case of NE we will have the meeting of the group in Amman this month. It will be combined with a regional workshop (15 countries fiom North Africa and Near East are involved) on Orobanche and Cuscuta parasitic weed management funded by an FA0 TCP project. This group is already editing its newsletter. In fact, this TCP project was partially promoted by this group when we discussed pressing weed problem issues in the last meeting held in Cyprus, May 1991. The chairman and secretary of the group are Dr. R. Shad, Pakistan National Program on Weed Control and Mr. P. Americanos, Agriultural Research Institute Cyprus, respectively.

PASCON third workshop will be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, 18-23 October 1993. PASCON is also conducting several activities in support of existing National Programs on Striga ResearcWxtension. PASCON newsletter is edited by FA0 Regional Office in Accra, Ghana and the chairman of the network is Dr. S.T.O. Lagoke , Zaria University, Nigeria.

Each task force group has already identified a focal point (priority weeds) in each country. Therefore, your comment that we need to get an up to date overview of the weed problems in the various countries in a region printed in a booklet or series form can be implemented if funds are available for this purpose. Enough good specialists in weed science are available in many countries of Latin America, Asia, and to some extent in Near East.

The edition of a book "Weed Management for Developing Countries" has recently been finished. This book contains contributions from more than 30 outstanding weed scientists. I hope that this publication will be ready at the beginning of 1994. LARS weed scientists actively participated in this edition.

The survey on the status of weed management in developing countries has been conducted by myself. Replies have come from more than 60 countries.

That paper presented at the WSSA annual meeting in February, 1993, gives an idea that awareness on weed problems is still necessary to be raised in the developing world, and that government consultation and formulation of a global program of weed management are required. To prepare such a consultation, funds are needed. I hope that IWSS, WSSA, and EWRS could collaborate with us in this aspect in the future, i.e. getting required funds and organization of the meeting. Donors should also be invited to such an event. The problem is that technical personnel of the developing world understand the importance of improved weed management, but this is not the case of government authorities, who need to understand that weeds are "a major factor hindering the attainment of acceptable crop yields."

The FA0 International Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides is an indication how to proceed, but the implementation is a government responsibility. The Code describes well the procedures for pesticide registration, and FA0 more than any other organization, has helped several governments in this aspect through the organization of regional meetings and technical consultancies.

Final results of the survey (Weed Mangement Status in Developing Countries) I hope to prepare soon for its further publication. At that time IWSS and regional societies will get the up to date overview of the weed problems in developing regions.

R. Labrada, Weed Officer, AGPP, FA0 Rome

Note: Results of R. Labrada's survey can be found starting on page 3 of this newsletter.

Bohmont Retires from CSU

Dr. Bert L. Bohmont, who has coordinated the pesticide education program at Colorado State University for over 28 years, retired from the University on June 30,1993.

December 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 11

Bert had a distinguished career at Colorado State providing leadership and education for many pesticide applicators over the years. He developed the PROJECT IMPACT slideltape training series that was used in almost every county of the United States to certify both private and commercial applicators to use Restricted Use Pesticides.

Bohmont is the author of "The Standard Pesticide User's Guide" that is used widely across the U.S. He also teaches four correspondence courses through the Division of Continuing Education and has taught over 400 students.

Bert received a distinct honor at a recent retirement party when the Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Science presented him with a plaque that will be given in his honor to a graduate student selected each year for many years in the future. The plaque says: The Bert L. Bohmont Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Extension Education. As far as is known, this is the first time that a recognition of this nature has been set up outside the Cooperative Extension structure itself at Colorado State.

Dr. Bohmont plans to do some limited contract and consulting work while "adjusting his golf game to a respectable handicap!" He and his wife, Kathleen plan to spend some time on golf in travels in other states.

Dr. Roy Smith Jr.

Dr. Roy J. Smith, Jr., Research Leader and Supervisory Research Agronomist (Weed Scientist) of the Rice Production and Weed Control Research Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Service of USDA at Stuttgart, Arkansas, retired at the end of 1992. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Agronomy (Weed Control) from the University of Illinois in 1955 and was immediately employed by USDA-ARS at Stuttgart where he initiated and developed the weed science in rice research program cooperatively with ARS and the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

Dr. Smith's pioneering research in weed control in rice has played a major role in the development of weed control technology for rice in the U.S. His research contributed significantly to the registration and use of numerous herbicides for rice, including propanil, molinate, thiobencarb, pendimethalin,

fenoxaprop, quinclorac, and bensulfuron. Dr. Smith is nationally and internationally recognized for his research in integrated weed management for rice, weed competition in rice, biological control of weeds with plant pathogens, red rice control programs for rice and rotated crops, control of propanil-resistant barnyardgrass and weed control in conservation tillage systems for rice.

Dr. Smith worked for ARS for almost 38 years. He served as Research Leader of the Rice Production and Weed Control Research Laboratory for more than 10 years and was an adjunct professor with the Agronomy Department of the University of Arkansas for all of his career. He has published about 500 articles on weed science in rice and advised about 20 M.S., Ph.D., and Post Doctoral students. Dr. Smith has been active in numerous professional societies, especially the Weed Science Society of America, the Southern Weed Science Society, the Asian Pacific Weed Science Society, the International Weed Science Society, the Arkansas Agricultural Pesticide Association and the Rice Technical Working Group. He is a charter member of both the Weed Science Society of America and the International Weed Science Society. He has received about 25 major awards from professional societies, USDA, and the agricultural community.

Dr. Smith is continuing his research as an adjunct professor with the University of Arkansas Agronomy Department and a collaborator with the ARS Rice Production and Weed Control Laboratory. He has also initiated a consulting business related to weed science and rice production.

Cl Ap~lication Technolow for Crop Protection edited by G. A. Matthews and E. C. Hislop, 1993, 368 pp., $99.50. University of Arizona Press, 1230 N. Park Ave., #102, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA. Pesticides continue to be a major rneans of controlling pests and diseases of crops and have made a major contribution to increasing the world's food production. Despite the concern about their indiscriminate use and side-effects, they are likely to

I Page12 . IWSS Newsletter December lW3 I

remain the basis of integrated pest management programs. However, as this book seeks to demonstrate there is scope to improve both the safety and efficiency of crop protection methods. The emphasis of the book is on methods of assessment and on application techniques to particular categories of crops. Written by leading authorities from Europe and North America, the book provides detailed reviews of relevant topics. It is essential reading for all researchers, advanced students and professionals concerned with crop protection, whether from the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, weed science or agricultural engineering.

Cl Physiologv of Herbicide Action by Malcolm D. Devine, Stephen 0. Duke, and Carl Fedtke, 1993, 441 pp., $85. Prentice Hall, 113 Sylvan AV., Route 9W, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, USA. This fully indexed text includes chapters by the three authors on: Introduction to herbicide action; Reaching the target; Foliar absorption of herbicides; Herbicide absorption by roots, isolated tissues, and plant cells; Herbicide translocation; Herbicide metabolism; Herbicidal inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport; Other herbicidal interactions with photosynthesis; Oxygen toxicity and herbicidal action; Microtubule disruptors; Herbicide effects on lipid synthesis; Nucleic acid and protein synthesis inhibitors; Inhibition of amino acid biosynthesis; herbicides with auxin activity; Other sites of herbicide action; Secondary physiological effects of herbicides; Herbicide interactions with herbicides, synergists, and safeners; and Naturally occurring chemicals as herbicides.

D AE Chem New Compound Review Volume XI, 1993,200 pp, subscription price $350. Available from W. L. Hopkins, Ag Chem Information Services, 6705 E. 71st St., Indianapolis, IN 46220, USA, Tel:

protection and the address of their major office locations; a separate listing of all new compounds that have moved into marketing as commercial products in 1992; a summary of events in world wide crop protection that occurred in 1992; and a cross indexing of all the new compounds identified in the Review.

% The IWSS again invites nominations for the 1994 Outstanding Achievement Award. Nominations should follow the criteria specified in the article located on page 7 of the newsletter. Please direct your nominations to Dr. Prasanta C. Bhowmik, Plant and Soil Sciences, Stockbridge Hall, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.

% Automata, Inc. of Grass Valley, California has introduced their new "Field Vision-Coldspot" frost protection software which monitors real-time frost conditions in the field. It sounds alarms and sends a message to a pager indicating sensor and current readings. The alarms can be set using temperature, wet bulb temperature and/or dew point. The software includes all of the data acquisition and data analysis features of Automata's Field Vision Vase Station Software. In conjunction with Automata's Field Stations and Telemetry System, the software continually monitors fields in real-time around the clock. Automata continues to develop new products to aid agriculturists in the management of irrigation, frost, and insect and disease pests. For a free data sheet, contact Automata, Inc., 16216 Brooks Rd., Grass Valley, CA, 95945, USA.

(317) 845-0681, Fax: (317) 841-1210. A unique Q The Agroecology Program and the University of reference which identifies over 95% of the world's California Extension offers a 6 month residential newest chemical/biological compounds in their pre- Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture, April 4- commercial stage of development. The Review October 1,1994 at the Farm and Gardens, U.C. Santa contains the following: a listing, by company of all Cruz. The Apprenticeship emphasizes hands-on new compound activity in public testing on a world learning with insmction in organic horticulfural wide basis during the 1992 season; a listing of all methods (soil fertility, cultivation, composting, known companies and research institutions on a propagation, irrigation, greenhouse), cultivar

wide basis that new products for crop requirements (vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruits), pest

December 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 13

and disease considerations, and marketing. Both garden and field-scale production are included. Application deadline is December 1, 1993. Tuition: $2,200. We attempt to procure funds for two tuition waivers to minority/systematically disadvantaged individuals. For further information contact: Apprenticeship, Agroecology Program, University of

.?, California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA, Tel. (408) 459-2321.

a Fa The National Certification Commission for Chemists and Chemical Engineers has announced the opening dates for its spring review. Applications will be accepted from January 15 to March 15,1994. Chemists or chemical engineers may become certified for three-year periods upon review of appropriate qualifications and activities. For more information or application forms call: Dr. Connie Hendrickson, the commission chair, Tel.: (214) 254- 1429, Fax: (214) 254- 1582; or Ms. Macey Elliott, executive director, Tel.: (301) 652-2447, Fax: (30 1) 657-3549.

Fa Raj Prasad, Secretary, IWSS, sends this along. If anyone is interested in donating old issues of Weed Science, Weed Technology, and other weed related journals, please contact the following: Ing. Jorge Garro, Coordinator, Programa Manejo de Malezas, Dept. of Fitoprotection, Ministerio de Agricultura Y Ganderia, Apartado 10094, San Jose, Costa Rica. They will pay the shipping costs.

DATES AND -

0

XEi December 6-8,1993

Canadian Expert Committee on Weeds Joint Eastern and Western Section Venue: Hilton Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta Contact: John O'Donovan, Alberta Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, 7000 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5T6, Canada Tel(403) 632-8208

December 7-9,1993 North Central Weed Science Society

Venue: Kansas City, MO, USA Contact: Robert Schmidt, 309 West Clark St , Champaign, IL 61820, USA

December 9-10,1993 Herbicide Resistance Workshop Venue: Edmonton Hilton Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Contact: John O'Donovan, Tel(403) 632-8208

1PP4 January 3-6,1994

Northeastern Weed Science Society Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Baltimore, MD Contact: Brian Olson, Dow Elanco, P.O. Box 753, Geneva, NY, 14456-0753, Tel. (315) 781-0140.

January 17-19,1994 Southern Weed Science Society Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport Contact: Phil Banks, Marathon AgEnviro Consulting, 4649 Navajo Rd., Las Cruces, NM, 88005, Tel. (505) 527-8853.

February 7-10,1994 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting Venue: Adam's Mark Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri Contact: Jack Kennedy, Local Arrangements Chahnan, Monsanto Co., 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Lous, MO, 63167. Tel: (314-694-2520).

March 3-5, 1994 European Society for Agronomy Workshop: Modeling the Fate of Agrochemicals and Fertilizers in the Environment. Venue: Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Venice, Italy. Contact: ESA Workshop, Sistema Congressi, Via Jappelli, 12,35121 Padova, Italy.

March 15-17,1994 Western Society of Weed Science Venue: Coeur D'Alene, Idaho Contact: Wanda Graves, P.O. Box 963, Newark, CA, 94560, Tel. (501) 793-4169.

April 4-7, 1994 5th Global Warming International Conference and Expo Venue: San Francisco, CA, USA Contacc The Global Warming Intl. Center, 7501 Lemont, Suite 335, Woodridge, IL, 60517, USA. Tel(708) 910-1551 F ~ x (708) 910-1561

May 3,1994 46th International Symposium on Crop Protection Venue: University of Gent, Belgium Contact: Dr. L. Tirry, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium, Tel. 32092646152, Fax. 32092646239.

I

Page 14 IWSS Newsletter December 1993

September 18-22,1994 European Society for Agronomy 3rd Congress Venue: Padova University, NE Italy Contact: ESAg Third Congress, Organizing Secretariat, Sistema Congressi, Via Jappelli, 12,35 121 Padova, Italy. Tel394965 1699 Fax 3949651320

Contact: Formulations Forum '94 Planning Committee, C/O Contact: Prof. M. Bersi, General Secretary, ANAPPAV, ISP, 136 1 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, Tel. (212) 244- Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan 11, B.P. 6202, 5225 ext. 94, Fax. (212) 564-1455 Rabat-Instituts (Morocco). Fax: 775838, Telex: AGROVET

September 6-8,1994 36873 M

October 2-6, 1994 Modern Agriculture and the Environment International Conference Venue: Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel Contact: Conference Secretariat, Peltours-Te'um Congress Organizers, P.O. Box 8388, Jerusalem 91082, Israel, Tel: 722617402, Fax: 9722637572.

Allelopathy in Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment Venue: J.N. Vyas University, Rajasthan, India Contact: Dr. S. S. Narwal, Organizing Secretary, Dept. of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agric. Univ., Hisar 125 004, Haryana, India, Tel: 9 1166273721 Ext. 4268. Fax: 91 166273552.

October 23-29,1994 Moroccan Society of Plant Production, Protection and Breeding: 5th Arab Congress of Plant Protection Venue: Morocco

I

IWSS Board of Directon: European Weed Research Society (EWRS)

Mrs. Brit! Pessala. Espoo Research Centre. Kemira OY, P.O. Box 44, SF-02271,

Espoo. FINLAND

W e d Science Society of America (WSSA)

Dr. Robert D. Williams. Chairman, WSSA Intl. Affairs Committee. Water

Quality and Watershed Research, USDA-ARS. P.O. Box 1430. Durant, OK,

74702, USA

Assoc. Latinamericana de Malezas (ALAM) Dr. Marcelo Kogan, Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago de Chile. CHILE

West African Weed Science Society (WAWSS)

Dr. 1.0. Akobundu, IITA. C/O L.W. Lambourn & Co., 26 Digwall Road.

Croydon, Surrey. CR9 3EE. UNITED KINGDOM

Weed Science Society of East Africa (WSSEA)

Dr. R. Michieka, D e p of Crop Science, Kabete Campur, P.O. Box 30197,

Nairobi. KENYA

Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS)

Miss J.A. Bibo, Alan Fletcher Res. Station, PO Box 36, Shenvood. Queensland,

4075, AUSTRALIA

F A 0 Weed Control Specialist

Dr. R.E. Labrada-Romero, Weed Officer. Plant Protection Service, FAO, Room

C-750, Via delle Terme di Camcalla, 00100; Rome, ITALY

Application for Membership-International Weed Science Society Oregon State University Cordley Hall 2040 Cowallis, Oregon 97331-2915 USA

Membership in the International Weed Science Society (IWSS) is open to individuals of all nations interested in encouraging and promoting the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their control. The annual membership dues are: Individual, $10.00; Affiliate Membership, $50.00; and Lifetime Membership, $200.00. Payment of dues entitles active members to voting privileges and receipt of the IWSS Newsletter and Membership Directory.

Name Type of Membership: 0 Individual

Address Cl Affiliate

P Lifetime

City State/Zip/Country Amount enclosed $

Phone Fa-

Mail your application and check payable to the International Weed Science Society to: Susan Larson, Executive Secretary, International Weed Science Society, OSU Cordley Hall 2040, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2915 USA

December 1993 IWSS Newsletter Page 15

INTERNATIONAL WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY AWARD NOMINATION FORM

PLEASE NOMINATE OR SECOND THE NOMINATION OF

Nominee Affiliation Address

Phone FAX

Justification: (See the criteria)

m e nomination packet should include Nomination letter, three supporting letters, and current resume of the nominee)

Nominator Address

Phone FAX

'Mail to Dr. Prasanta C. Bhowmik, Plant and Soil Sciences, Stockbridge Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 U.S .A.

Deadline for June 1994 Newsletter Articles is Mav 1.1994

Send newsletter material to: Susan Larson IWSS Newsletter Editor Oregon State University Cordley Hall 2040 Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2915 USA

Phone: 503 737-3541 Fax: 503 737-3080

International Weed Science Society Oregon State University Cordley Hall 2040 Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2915 USA

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

Cmallis, OR Pemit No. 200